By Jabari Johnson, BlackWeb20.com

Microsoft and Sony have recently slashed the prices of their gaming systems and now Nintendo has done the same with its popular Wii console. Nintendo is lowering the price of the Wii by $50 to $199.99. “Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.

The price drop of the console comes just in time for Nintendo’s much anticipated new releases, Wii Fit Plus available October 4th and New Super Mario Bros. Wii in stores November 14th.

BlackWeb20.com covers website and application launches; culturally relevant Internet industry news; and mainstream Internet industry news from an African-American perspective.  They also analyze emerging web trends and how they apply to web properties that target African-Americans or African-American culture.

Courtesy of Make Magazine

By Sherri L. Smith, BlackWeb20.com

3D used to be this cheesy effect used in B-grade horror movies. And if the idea of horrible scene design wasn’t bad enough, the garish red and blue 3D glasses only increased the cheese factor. But as Hollywood got better with its magic, utilizing advanced animatronic creations and in this generation computer-generated images, it seemed like 3D was a thing of the past. But 3D is far from dead making a come back in animated movies like Disney’s ‘UP’ and Columbia Pictures and Sony’s upcoming flick  ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’. It’s also making a return to its horror roots in ‘The Final Destination’.

Courtesy of Oz 3D Optics

But as we move deeper into the realm of High Definition images, consumer electronic companies are scrambling to differentiate themselves, 3D is becoming a viable option. We’ve already seen the first camera able to take pictures in the third dimension, courtesy of Fujifilm. So far, the camera has been receiving mixed reviews with some sites dubbing it “the coolest camera of the year” and others the complete opposite.

Over in TV Land,  Sony is officially throwing its hat into the 3D ring, with Sony CEO Howard Stringer stating, “”3D train is on the track–and we’re the ones to drive it home.”

Driving the charge will be the Sony Bravia LCD TV.  According to CNET, the 3D compatible television is set to hit stores in 2010 and will have a high frame rate and a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels per eye. In addition, Sony is planning to roll out 3D compatible blu-ray players. The PlayStation 3 will also be getting into the act, with attendees at this  year’s IFA consumer electronics fair getting to play Wipeout HD in stunning 3D.

3D has been a cheap gimmick for so long that it’ll be hard to accept it as a viable addition to our entertainment experience. If Sony can convince consumers to embrace the tech, the future is ripe with possibilities, especially if they can do something about the dorky glasses.

BlackWeb20.com covers website and application launches; culturally relevant Internet industry news; and mainstream Internet industry news from an African-American perspective.  They also analyze emerging web trends and how they apply to web properties that target African-Americans or African-American culture.

By Sherri L. Smith, BlackWeb20.com

Ladies, if you’ve been enjoying your summer hugged up with a  significant other or chilling with a male relative or guy friend, your good times are about to end. Tomorrow, “Madden NFL 10″ drops. Electronic Arts hit series returns, bring all the plays, jukes, and highlight reels that capture the male imagination long after you’ve gotten all the stains of out the carpet from the Super Bowl Party.

This year, the developers have put a lot into giving players gritty realism and authenticity. To that end, they utilized the all-new Pro-Tak Animation system is a dynamic system that affects blocking and tackling. Ever seen an eight-man tackle? Now you will, but instead of the players just attaching themselves to the hapless receiver and pulling him down, Pro-Tek lets some of the offensive line join the pile to push their guy through the tackle onto the first down or maybe a touchdown.

Other new features include “Fight for Fumble” pile–ups, a mini-game where rapid button presses heighten the drama of ball possession. There’s also QB Pressure Alert that causes your controller to rumble if you’re slow-gassing getting that ball down the field and you’re about to get sacked. But any game especially a sports game is only as good as it’s AI. This year’s Madden features a shiny new AI system that makes the CPU call more realistic plays, actually mimicking their real life counterparts which means there shouldn’t be any complete blowouts when playing against the computer. This is only the tip of the iceberg for new features – updated playbooks, new jukes and spins, it’s a wonder how the developers managed to get all this stuff in there given such a short development time.

So as a rule, I normally shy away from sports games, but I’m going to have the drop the $59.99 with my fellow Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 brethren. Wii-fanatics get off a little cheaper at $49.99, while PlayStation 2 and PSP owners shell out $39.99. Who knows, maybe you might see me in line at midnight waiting to cop my copy.

BlackWeb20.com covers website and application launches; culturally relevant Internet industry news; and mainstream Internet industry news from an African-American perspective.  They also analyze emerging web trends and how they apply to web properties that target African-Americans or African-American culture.

For intermediate photographers that are ready to move up from a simple point-and-shoot camera to a digital SLR (Single-Lens Reflex), you’re in luck.  Sony’s just released info about the DSLR-A380 (alpha) camera, one of three new  additions to the Alpha series of cameras set to debut in July.

Priced at $850, the DSLR-A380 is the most expensive of the trio, but Sony makes sure consumers get more bang for those big bucks with a number of interesting features. The 14.2 megapixel beauty comes with a bright, 2.7 inch, adjustable LCD screen so creative shutterbugs can take shots from virtually any angle. And for high-resolution images look no further than the CCD image sensor which is great for creating large prints, and the BIONZ image processor that takes great photos even in high sensitivity situations. The Sony exclusive Ouick AF Live  provides a live image preview without sacrificing the speed Digital SLRs are known for.  Another notable feature is the D-Range Optimizer. This snazzy element adjusts brightness and contrast to create great pictures in the most difficult lighting situations.

The camera is compatible with a high capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, or a SD/SDHC card, ensuring there’s enough room for every single shot. And thanks to the Stamina Battery you can take 500 shots on a charged NP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM battery. After you get those jaw-dropping shots, share your masterpieces in all their glory on a compatible Sony BRAVIA HDTV.

To make the DSLR-A380 more accessible to those that might not understand all that fancy camera jargon, the camera has an easy to use integrated on-screen Help Screen that gives easy to comprehend explanations about the modes and settings. And with eight modes to choose from including Vivid, Night View, and Sunset, an explanation or two can really come in handy when switching. The Graphic Display takes all the mystery out of the connection between aperture and shutter speed.

Lightweight, compact, and relatively simple to use, the DSLR-A380 is a great way for point-and-shoot photographers to step their game up and take better photos.

BlackWeb20.com covers website and application launches; culturally relevant Internet industry news; and mainstream Internet industry news from an African-American perspective.  They also analyze emerging web trends and how they apply to web properties that target African-Americans or African-American culture.

Battery Records has urban focus. A new Sony music company will revive the practice of artist development, AllHipHop.com reports. Battery Records is to oversee early development among performers on the rosters of RCA and Zomba. “We started operation back in mid-June, so it’s a brand new division,” head man Neil Levine tells All Hip Hop. “It’s really an incubator imprint label. Our main focus is really taking developing artists that are signed to our frontline labels.” Artist development has been used throughout the recording industry to groom new label recruits in career longevity and preparation.